Keyboard device capable of automatically changing function of certain key without pressing a specific key

ABSTRACT

A keyboard device includes a sensor ( 1 ) for detecting whether hands of a user are present at the home position, a function switching key to select one of the two functions by pressing a key ( 2 ), a sensor validating/invalidating switch ( 3 ) to changeover the validation/invalidation of the detection result of the sensor, and a microcomputer  6  for selecting the function according to the detection result of the sensor ( 1 ) when the sensor validating/invalidating switch ( 3 ) is validated, and by the function switching, key when the same is invalidated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard device which is usedfor information processing apparatus or the like, and particularly to akeyboard device for changing over two functions affected by certain keysof a keyboard, or changing over validation/invalidation of the input ofcertain keys.

[0002] Conventionally, keyboards used for information processingapparatus are required to dispose efficiently necessary keys in alimited space, or to prevent miss operation of key inputting. For thiseffect, in certain keyboard devices, a key is eliminated by replacingthe function of that key with simultaneous press of a plurality ofanother keys, or a same key is used for several functions by changingover by a select key, as described in an unexamined Japanese UtilityModel Publication No. SHO 59-151328, namely 151328/1984.

[0003] On the other hand, an unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No.HEI 04-354012, namely 354012/1992, discloses a keyboard device forchanging over the key arrangement by a switching key, wherein a combinedinput of a plurality of desired key invalidates input from the switchingkey, and thereafter, even when the switching key is pressed in thefollowing input, the input will be cancelled in order to avoid missinput.

[0004] In the prior art mentioned above, the function changeover ofcertain keys is performed by pressing the switching key, and thecancellation of this switching key is also executed by the combinedinput of a plurality of keys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to performautomatically the function changeover of certain key, valid/invalidsetting of switching key, prevention of miss input of certain keys, orthe like, without pressing a specific key.

[0006] Other objects of the present invention will become clear as thedescription proceeds.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a keyboard device for key inputting by selecting any one of twofunctions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, wherein whether handsof a user are present at the home position is detected by a sensor, andone of the two functions affected by the certain keys is selected basedon the result of the detection by the sensor.

[0008] The certain keys may be ten-key section provided with numericinput function and cursor shift function.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a keyboard device for key inputting by selecting any one of twofunctions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, comprising: a sensorfor detecting whether hands of a user are present at the home position;a function switching key to select one of the two functions by pressinga key; a sensor validating/invalidating switch to changeover thevalidation/invalidation of the detection result of the sensor; and acontrol section for selecting the function according to the detectionresult of the sensor when the sensor validating/invalidating switch isvalidated, and by the function switching key when the same isinvalidated.

[0010] The certain keys may be ten-key section provided with numericinput function and cursor shift function.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a keyboard device for key inputting by selecting any one oftwo functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, comprising: afunction switching key to changeover the function to be selected eachtime when it is pressed down; a sensor, which is active (ON state) whenhands of a user are present at the home position and inactive (OFFstate) when they are not at the home position; and a control section formonitoring respective events of press-down of the function switchingkey, transitions from ON state to OFF state of the sensor and from OFFstate to ON state of the sensor, and selecting alternatively the twofunctions, each time when one of events occurs.

[0012] The certain keys may be ten-key section provided with numericinput function and cursor shift function.

[0013] According to still another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a keyboard device, comprising: a first group of keys provideon a keyboard; a sensor for detecting whether hands of a user arepresent at the home position of this first group of keys; a second groupof keys provided on this side opposite to the first group of keys takingthe sensor as border; and a control section for monitoring the detectionresult of the sensor and disabling the input by the second group of keyswhile the sensor detect hands.

[0014] The second group of keys may include at least one of a group ofnumeric input keys and a group of cursor shift keys.

[0015] According to further another aspect of the present invention,there is provided a keyboard device, comprising: a first group of keysprovide on a keyboard; a left hand sensor for detecting whether the lefthand of a user is present at the left hand home position of the firstgroup of keys; a right hand sensor for detecting whether the right handof a user is present at the right hand home position; a second group ofkeys provided on this side left opposite to the first group of keystaking the left hand sensor as border; a third group of keys provided onthis side right opposite to the first group of keys taking the righthand sensor as border; and a control section for monitoring thedetection result of the left hand sensor and the right hand sensor anddisabling the input by the second group of keys while the left handsensor detect the hand and disabling the input by the third group ofkeys while the right hand sensor detect the hand.

[0016] The second or third group of keys may be group of numeric inputkeys.

[0017] The second or third group of keys may be group of cursor shiftkeys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows an example of arrangement on the keyboard ofrespective components in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the composition of the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 4 shows an example of arrangement on the keyboard ofrespective components in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the composition of the secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the secondembodiment of the present invention; and

[0024]FIG. 7 shows the composition of the third embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, description will be made asregards a keyboard device according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0026]FIG. 1 shows an example of arrangement of each component on akeyboard according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, a ten key section 2 is supposed to have two functionsof group of numeric input keys and group of cursor shift keys, and theoperation to validate one of these functions and invalidate the otherfunction will be described.

[0027] In FIG. 1, a sensor 1 is disposed at a position in contact withor covered by the left hand when the left hand is put on the homeposition (home position is a state where the left index rests on the key[F] and the right index on the key [J] during the key input), detects ahuman hand on the sensor by, for instance, detecting infrared light, andchanges to ON state upon its detection. Here, this sensor may well beany sensor provided that it detect the contact of the hand with thesensor or the proximity of the hand around the sensor, and it may beanother sensor, for example, a contact sensor put ON upon detection ofthe hand, or a temperature detection sensor or the like, put ON upondetection of a predetermined ambient temperature.

[0028] A ten key section is equivalent to a ten key section includingkeyboard for personal computer or the like, and the key significationchanges according to the state of “NumLock”. Here, it shall be describedas group of numeric input keys if “NumLocked”, or as group of cursorshift keys if “non” “NumLocked”, however it may well be inverted.

[0029] The sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is a switch to selectthe use of the output from the sensor 1 or the use of “NumLock” key (notshown) on the keyboard to change the state of “NumLock” of the ten keysection 2. When the “sensor is valid”, the state of “NumLock” of the tenkey section 2 depends only on the output of the sensor 1, and when the“sensor is not valid”, the state of “NumLock” will change only bypressing down the “NumLock” key (not shown) on the keyboard.

[0030] The status display section 4 indicates the state of “NumLock” ofthe ten key section 2 for informing the user of the actual state by, forexample, turning on when “NumLocked”, and blinking when “not NumLocked”or by other states.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the composition of the firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The microcomputer 6 judges the actual state of “NumLock” of theten key section 2 from the whole keys 5, the sensor 1 and the sensorvalidation/invalidation switch 3 to indicate it on the status displaysection 4, and also, converts according to the state of “NumLock” withits inner key code table, and transmits the key code to the motherboard.Now, if a key other than the ten key section 2 is input, the function ofrespective keys rests invariable independent of the state of the sensor1 or the NumLock key (not shown) and the function is completelyidentical to a convention keyboard. Here, it will be described supposingthat the sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is not valid when it isconnected to the GRD (ground) side, and valid when it is connected tothe voltage Vcc side.

[0033] Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the presentinvention will be described in detail referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is aflow-chart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0034] First, when the power supply of the keyboard is turned on, themicrocomputer 6 initializes the state of “NumLock” of the ten keysection 2 to “not NumLocked” state (step S1).

[0035] Given the “not NumLocked” state, the microcomputer 6 informs theuser of the “not NumLocked” state, namely, that the ten-key section 2can be used as group of cursor shift keys, by blinking the statusdisplay section 4 (step S2).

[0036] Next, the microcomputer 6 detects if the sensorvalidation/invalidation switch 3 is connected to the voltage Vcc side(valid) or is connected to the GRD side (not valid) (step S3).

[0037] According to the detection result of the step S3, if the sensorvalidation/invalidation switch 3 is valid, the microcomputer 6 detectsif the output of the sensor 1 is ON or OFF (step S4).

[0038] Upon the detection result of the step S4, if the output of thesensor 1 is ON, namely if the hand is in contact with the sensor or inthe proximity of the sensor, the microcomputer 6 judged that the stateis “not NumLocked”. This is the state where the key is operated with theleft hand on the home position (step S5).

[0039] Upon the detection result of the step S4, if the output of thesensor 1 is OFF, namely if the left hand is displaced beyond thedetection range by the sensor 1, the microcomputer 6 judged that thestate is “NumLocked”. (step S6).

[0040] In the step S3, if the sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 isnot valid, the microcomputer 6 detects if the “NumLock” key (not shown)on the keyboard is pressed down (step S7) and judged that the state is“NumLocked” if it is pressed down. Thereafter, while the sensorvalidation/invalidation switch 3 is not valid, two states of “notNumLocked” and “NumLocked” are to be inverted alternatively (step S8).

[0041] After “NO” of the steps S5, S6, S7 and S8, the microcomputer 6indicates the state of “NumLock” in the respective step on the statusdisplay section 4. For example, in the step S5, as the state is “notNumLocked”, the status display section 4 blinks, while in the step 6, asthe state is “NumLocked”, the status display section 4 will be turnedon, to inform the user of the present state (step S9).

[0042] Next, the microcomputer 6 detects if a key other than NumLock key(not shown) on the keyboard is pressed, and proceeds to the step S11 ifit is pressed, and returns to the step S3 if it is not pressed. Here, itis detected if a key other than NumLock key is pressed, because it isunnecessary to transmit the key code to the motherboard, even if NumLockkey is pressed (step S10).

[0043] In the step S10, if a key other than NumLock key is pressed, themicrocomputer 6 detects, uninterruptedly, if a key of the ten keysection 2 is pressed (step S11).

[0044] Then, upon the detection of the depression of a key of the tenkey section 2, the microcomputer 6 judges if the state of “NumLock” ofthe ten key section 2 is “NumLocked” state or “not NumLocked” stateaccording to one of states of the steps S5 to S8, and proceeds to thenext step S14 or step S15 (step S12).

[0045] In the step S11, if a key of the ten key section 2 is notpressed, namely, a key other than the one of the ten key section 2 ispressed, the microcomputer 6 outputs the key code corresponding to thispressed key to the motherboard, independent of the state of “NumLock”(step S13).

[0046] In the step S12, if the state is “NumLocked”, the microcomputer 6performs the conversion according to the “NumLocked” state with itsinner key code table, and transmits the key code as numeric input key tothe motherboard (step S14).

[0047] In the step S12, if the state is “not NumLocked”, themicrocomputer 6 performs the conversion according to the “not NumLocked”state with its inner key code table, and transmits the key code ascursor shift key to the motherboard (step S15).

[0048] After the state S10, S13, S14 or S15, it returns to the step S3,to repeat the operation mentioned above.

[0049] As described hereinbefore, according to this embodiment, it ispossible to change over the ten key section 2 automatically to one ofgroup of numeric input keys or group of cursor shift keys according tothe output ON/OFF of the sensor 1 for detecting the presence of user'sleft hand.

[0050] Note that, in the embodiment, the sensor validation/invalidationswitch 3 and NumLock key may both be eliminated, and the changeover oftwo functions may well be performed always by the sensor 1.

[0051] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed referring to drawings. FIG. 4 shows an example of arrangementof each component on a keyboard according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing thecomposition of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] In the first embodiment of the present invention mentioned above,when the sensor validation/invalidation switch is not valid, the stateof “NumLock” changes only by pressing down the “NumLock” key, and whenthe sensor validation/invalidation switch is valid, the state of“NumLock” changes only by the output of the sensor.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the second embodiment of thepresent invention, the sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 iseliminated from the composition of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Also, it is different in thatthe state of “NumLock” can be changed either by the output of the sensor1 or by pressing down the “NumLock” key. In other words, the state of“NumLock” can be changed alternatively by the occurrence of respectiveevent of sensor ON, sensor OFF and “NumLock” key pressed down.

[0054] The operation of this second embodiment of the present inventionwill be described in detail referring to FIG. 6. Compared to FIG. 3,flow-chart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, steps S3 to S8 of FIG. 3 are replaced with steps S16 and S17,so steps S16, S17 will be described below.

[0055] The microcomputer 6 detects the occurrence of either of eventsincluding ON state→OFF state of the sensor, OFF state→ON state of thesensor, by means of a signal from the sensor 1 and “NumLock” key.

[0056] If the occurrence of one of events is detected in the step S6,“NumLock” state will be changed. For example, if the state before theoccurrence of event is “not NumLocked”, it is changed to “NumLocked”state, and if the state before the occurrence of event is “NumLocked”,it is changed to “not NumLocked” state (step S17).

[0057] If none of event has occurred in the step 16, it proceeds to thestep S10.

[0058] As described hereinbefore, in this embodiment of the presentinvention, as the sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is eliminated,the state of “NumLock” can be changed alternatively at each occurrenceof any one event, by monitoring always the occurrence of respectiveevents including ON state→OFF state of the sensor, OFF state→On state ofthe sensor, or depression of “NumLock” key.

[0059] In the first or second embodiment of the present inventiondescribed hereinbefore, the ten key section is provided with twofunctions of numeric input and cursor shift, that are changed overaccording to the sensor output; however, it is obvious that the presentinvention is not limited to this, but can be applied to a group of keyhaving other functions. Also, it may well be applied to a single keyprovided with two functions, in place of a group of keys such as ten keysection.

[0060] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed referring to drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing thecomposition of the third embodiment of the present invention, and inthis example, keys are arranged in a portion that is usually used aspalm rest.

[0061] In FIG. 7, a sensor 1L and a sensor 1R are disposed at theposition to be in contact with or covered by the left hand or he righthand respectively, when both hands are put on the home position, andsimilarly to the first or second embodiment of the present invention,these sensors detect the human hand over the sensor by detectinginfrared beam and turn ON upon the detection.

[0062] A group of dedicated numeric input keys 7 and a group ofdedicated cursor shift keys 8 are disposed by dividing separately agroup of numeric input keys and a group of cursor shift keys providedwith the ten key section of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4.

[0063] A microcomputer not shown inside the keyboard device makes thesensor 1L correspond to the group of dedicated numeric input keys 7 andthe sensor 1R to the group of dedicated cursor shift keys 8respectively, and controls to cancel the group of dedicated numericinput keys 7 when the sensor 1L is On and to cancel the group ofdedicated cursor shift keys 8 when the sensor 1R is ON.

[0064] Now, the operation of the third embodiment of the presentinvention will be described referring to FIG. 7.

[0065] First, when the user puts their hands on the home position, thesensor 1L and the sensor 1R detect respectively the presence of lefthand and right hand respectively and turn ON.

[0066] The microcomputer in the keyboard device cancels the group ofdedicated numeric input keys 7 when the sensor 1L is On and cancels thegroup of dedicated cursor shift keys 8 when the sensor 1R is ON.Consequently, the group of dedicated numeric input keys 7 and the groupof dedicated cursor shift keys 8 are both cancelled, whereby, the keyinput will not be performed event when the group of dedicated numericinput keys 7 or the group of dedicated cursor shift keys 8 are pressedby mistake, during other key input.

[0067] Next if it is desired to operate the group of dedicated cursorshift keys 8, the right hand is detached from the home position, to turnOFF the sensor 1R. The microcomputer detects that the sensor 1R isturned OFF, and validates the corresponding group of dedicated cursorshift keys 8. Then, in this state, if the group of dedicated cursorshift keys 8 is operated, their input is taken as valid, and themicrocomputer outputs a key code as key for cursor shift to themotherboard.

[0068] If the group of dedicated numeric input keys 7 is to be operated,the left hand is detached from the home position, to turn OFF the sensor1L. The microcomputer detects that the sensor 1L is turned OFF, andvalidates the corresponding group of dedicated numeric input keys 7.Then, in this state, if the group of dedicated numeric input keys 7 isoperated, their input is taken as valid, and the microcomputer outputs akey code as key for numeric input to the motherboard. Here, the group ofdedicated numeric input keys 7 may be operated by the right hand,provided that the left hand is out of the home position.

[0069] As described hereinbefore, according to this embodiment, keys canbe arranged in a portion that is usually used as palm rest and where,conventionally, keys were not arranged in order to avoid miss input byaccidental press by the hand, because a key or a group of keys arrangedin this side of the sensor is invalidated when a hand is in theproximity of the sensor.

[0070] In the third embodiment of the present invention describedhereinbefore, it is controlled to validate or invalidate, the group ofdedicated numeric input keys 7 or the group of dedicated cursor shiftkeys 8, respectively by the output of the sensor 1L for left handdetection or the sensor 1R for right hand detection; however, it isobvious that the present invention is not limited to this, but can beapplied to a group of key having other functions and, also, it may wellbe applied to a single key in place of a group of keys.

[0071] Besides, the only one sensor for left hand detection or righthand detection may be provided, and in can be controlled to validate orinvalidate, the group of keys arranged this side of the sensor, makingthem correspond to this single key.

[0072] The first effect of the present invention is that the user is notobliged to press the switching key, thereby saving one trouble, as thefunction of certain keys or a group of keys, by detecting the presenceof hands at the home position on the keyboard.

[0073] The second effect of the present invention is that keys can bearranged in a portion that is usually used as palm rest and where,conventionally, keys were not arranged in order to avoid miss input byaccidental press by the hand, because a key or a group of keys arrangedin this side of the sensor is invalidated when a hand is in theproximity of the sensor.

What is claimed is
 1. A keyboard device for key inputting by selectingany one of two functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, whereinwhether hands of a user are present at the home position is detected bya sensor, and one of the two functions affected by said certain keys isselected based on the result of the detection by said sensor.
 2. Akeyboard device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said certain keys areten-key section provided with numeric input function and cursor shiftfunction.
 3. A keyboard device for key,inputting by selecting any one oftwo functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, comprising asensor for detecting whether hands of a user are present at the homeposition; a function switching key to select one of said two functionsby pressing a key; a sensor validating/invalidating switch to changeoverthe validation/invalidation of the detection result of said sensor; anda control section for selecting said function according to the detectionresult of said sensor when said sensor validating/invalidating switch isvalidated, and by said function switching key when the same isinvalidated.
 4. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidcertain keys are ten-key section provided with numeric input functionand cursor shift function.
 5. A keyboard device for key inputting byselecting any one of two functions affected by certain keys on akeyboard, comprising: a function switching key to changeover thefunction to be selected each time when it is pressed down; a sensor,which is active (ON state) when hands of a user are present at the homeposition and inactive (OFF state) when they are not at the homeposition; and a control section for monitoring respective events ofpress-down of said function switching key, transitions from ON state toOFF state of said sensor and from OFF state to ON state of said sensor,and selecting alternatively said two functions, each time when one ofevents occurs.
 6. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidcertain keys are ten-key section provided with numeric input functionand cursor shift function.
 7. A keyboard device, comprising a firstgroup of keys provide on a keyboard; a sensor for detecting whetherhands of a user are present at the home position of this first group ofkeys; a second group of keys provided on this side opposite to saidfirst group of keys taking said sensor as border; and a control sectionfor monitoring the detection result of said sensor and disabling theinput by said second group of keys while said sensor detect hands.
 8. Akeyboard device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second group of keysincludes at least one of a group of numeric input keys and a group ofcursor shift keys.
 9. A keyboard device, comprising a first group ofkeys provide on a keyboard; a left hand sensor for detecting whether theleft hand of a user is present at the left hand home position of saidfirst group of keys; a right hand sensor for detecting whether the righthand of a user is present at the right hand home position; a secondgroup of keys provided on this side left opposite to said first group ofkeys taking said left hand sensor as border; a third group of keysprovided on this side right opposite to said first group of keys takingsaid right hand sensor as border; and a control section for monitoringthe detection result of said left hand sensor and said right hand sensorand disabling the input by said second group of keys while said lefthand sensor detect the hand and disabling the input by said third groupof keys while said right hand sensor detect the hand.
 10. A keyboarddevice as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second or third group of keysare group of numeric input keys.
 11. A keyboard device as claimed inclaim 10, wherein said second or third group of keys are group of cursorshift keys.